Channel 4’s recent documentary ‘Rape: Who’s on Trial’ revealed astonishing figures that over 30% of women had experienced sexual assault or rape at some point in their lives and 31% of those female victims said that they had experienced it three or more times.

Further figures suggest that of those women who stated that they had experienced sexual assault or rape, 80% did not report the incident to the police. One suspected reason for this high percentage is thought to be due to only 14% of rape victims feeling that they are able to obtain justice by reporting the incidents to the police.

The police are making efforts to increase the trust that victims have in the police force and their investigations of sexual assault. In response to the lack of confidence in the police, Sarah Crew, the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset stated “we are working incredibly hard to turn that around with new, research-led initiatives that are already having an effect. We know we have work to do to gain back the trust of victims.”

Over the past five years there has been a climb in reports of sexual crime, which may demonstrate that the police’s attempts to encourage victims to come forward has been effective. However, just over 1% of rape cases end in conviction. Therefore, this suggests that further reform of the criminal justice system is necessary in order to obtain justice for victims of sexual assault and rape.

The Channel 4 documentary saw an all-female production team follow police officers from Avon and Somerset constabulary for over 18 months, observing how they investigated four cases of sexual assault. One of the cases involved a man who had been accused of raping two women at a hotel in Bristol.

One viewer of the documentary took to social media to express their dismay, stating ‘how awful that these poor women have been subjected to such harm, and these perpetrators have been allowed to get away with it…whilst these women suffer with long lasting mental scars.’

Victims of rape or sexual assault are entitled to apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to receive financial compensation. The purpose of this is to compensate victims for injuries that they have suffered, which may include physical, psychiatric and/or financial losses. Such compensation can provide closure to victims along with the means to fund medical treatment for the psychiatric injuries that they have suffered.

If you are interested in pursuing a CICA claim, please contact our dedicated team of solicitors on 0330 134 6430, complete our online contact from, or use our live chat below.

If you or someone that you know has been the victim of sexual assault or rape, please contact ‘Rape Crisis’ on 0808 802 9999 to seek support.